IND vs SA: I Would Be Happy To Do Keeping In Test Cricket - KL Rahul
Published - 16 Dec 2023, 11:29 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
India player KL Rahul opened up on doing wicket-keeping in Tests during the upcoming series against South Africa. He said that he would be happy to take that role and is always open to doing whatever team management and the captain asked him to do.
KL Rahul’s growth as a wicketkeeper batter has been nothing short of exceptional. From being an opener, he has developed himself into one of the best middle-order batters in the world. That was quite evident during the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023.
While his class with the bat was never questioned, what impressed many was his keeping skills. KL Rahul showed great skills behind the stumps, diving all around, taking good takes, and many more. His magnificent work behind the stumps was one of the main reasons for India’s success.
Impressed by his keeping skills, BCCI named him one of the keepers in the team for the Test series against South Africa. This is something KL Rahul hasn’t done in his career, keeping in the longest format. However, with the kind of success he has had as a batter in Tests and a traffic jam at the top order, it won’t be a surprise if he keeps wicket and bats in the middle-order in upcoming Tests against the Proteas.
KL Rahul said that he isn’t sure if he will be keeping wickets in all three formats but he’s open to taking up that role. He added that currently he is focused on the ODI series and also mentioned that he wants to play as many games as possible for the country. Speaking to reporters, he explained:
“I don’t know about all formats, right now my focus is on this ODI series. Yes, I’ll be doing the same role. I’ll be wicketkeeping and batting in the middle order. After that, yes, I would be happy to take up that role even in the Test matches. I’ve always been open to doing new roles and accepting whatever role the team wants me to perform. So I’m happy to do whatever the management, coach and captain ask of me.
“If that’s the role the team sees me in, I’m happy to do that. Yeah of course, I want to play for the country, I want to play as many games as I can. Unfortunately, I’ve missed a lot of cricket due to injuries. So yeah, I would like to make the most of my time and play as many games as I can whatever the role is.”
IND vs SA: You have to be flexible, and adjust and do your best for the team – KL Rahul
KL Rahul highlighted that cricket being a team sport, one needs to understand that no position can be defined. He stressed as a part of the team, he needs to be flexible and do his best for the team, which he has done over the years. He elaborated:
“Whatever is expected out of me, I’ve done that throughout my career so far, I don’t think that is going to change, whatever is expected of me. For me, the team always comes first. When we started playing the game one of the first things that was taught to us was it’s a team game.
“It’s a cliched line, but as you play more you understand no position is yours. But as you play more, you understand when it’s a team game no position is yours. You have to be able to perform whatever the team requires. You have to be flexible, and adjust and do your best for the team.”
KL Rahul will be captaining the India team in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. The series between the teams will begin on 17th October.
About the Author
Ankitjit is an author at Cricketaddictor. He has been working with the organization since April 2023...
